from 1 review
1 - 5 Days
2 Days
Yes
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This itinerary is for people with 1 to 5 days in Brussels. You can follow the recommended itinerary sequence below depending on the number of days you plan on spending in Brussels.
On day 1, if you feel stretched for time, you can opt to skip the visit to the Royal Palace.
On day 2, combining a day trip to Ghent and Bruges is totally possible. Ghent is on the way to Bruges, where you can consider making a 2 to 3 hour pitstop. I’d recommend you prioritize your time in the Old Town of both cities in this case, which will give you a good feel of both cities.
★ Sacred Heart Basilica (75 mins - *Must-see*): World's 5th largest church
★ Grand Palace / Grote Markt (60 mins - *Must-see*): Most popular square lined with notable buildings
★ Manneken Pis (15 mins - Photo Stop): Iconic naked boy sculpture
★ St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (45 mins - *Must-see*): Gothic Cathedral with similarities to Paris' Notre Dame
★ Palais Royal (45 mins): Official Palace of the Belgian Royal family. Outside Viewing
★ Notre Dame du Sabion (30 mins): Large cathedral with architectural similarities to the Paris Notre Dame
★ Palais de Justice (15 mins - Photo Stop): Law Court of Brussels
★ Mont de Arts (45 mins): Historic site with important buildings and great views
★ Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert (60 mins): Gorgeous shopping arcade
★ The Bourse (15 mins - Photo Stop): Stock Exchange
★ Grand Palace / Grote Markt (45 mins - *Must-see*): Most popular square lined with notable buildings. Night light viewing
★ Day Trip to Bruges (Full Day - See Below): City known for its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings
★ Markt (75 mins - *Must-see*): Most popular Old Town square housing important buildings and monuments
★ Belfort (15 mins - Photo Stop): Medieval bell tower
★ Holy Blood Basilica (45 mins): Chapel containing a phial that reputedly contains Christ's blood
★ One Lieve Vrouwekerk (45 mins): Church displaying Michelangelo's world-famous Madonna and child
★ Minnewater Lake (60 mins): Scenic park and lake. Leisurely stroll
★ Burg Square (60 mins): Second most popular square housing the City Hall
★ Stadhuis (15 mins - Photo Stop): City Hall with stunning architecture
★ Overnight at Bruges or return to Brussels
★ Day Trip to Ghent (Full Day - See Below): City popular for its medieval architecture
★ St. Bavos Cathedral (45 mins): 89 meter tall Gothic Cathedral
★ Belfry Tower and Cloth Hall (60 mins): Medieval tower and monument glorifying the cloth industry
★ Town Hall (15 mins - Photo Stop): Town Hall. Masterpiece of civil gothic architecture
★ St. Nicholas Church (30 mins): Oldest church in Brussels (12th century)
★ Gravensteen Castle (90 mins): 12th century castle
★ Graslei and Korenlei (60 mins): Quay featuring historic buildings, views, and night life
★ Return to Brussels
★ Mini Europe (90 mins) Miniature display of:350 major European buildings
★ Atomium (90 mins): Unique architecture icon representing a magnified iron crystal
★ European Parliament (90 mins): Building of the European Parliament
★ Luxembourg Square (30 mins): Important square close to EU institutions
★ Berlaymont Building (30 mins - Photo Stop): Headquarters of the European Commission (public inaccessible)
★ Parc Du Cinquantenaire (45 mins): Large park containing a monumental triple arch
★ Arcades du Cinquantenaire (15 mins - Photo Stop): Monumental triple arch
★ Day Trip to Antwerp (Full Day - See Below): World's leading diamond city
★ Central Station (15 mins - Photo Stop): Main railway station with impressive architecture
★ Diamond District (60 mins): World's largest diamond district. Leisurely stroll
★ Rubenshuis (90 mins): Former home and artwork display of Peter Rubens. Can skip if stretched for time
★ Groenplatz (45 mins): Prominent square located in the historic district. Leisurely stroll
★ Cathedral of our Lady (45 mins): Gothic church
★ Grote Markt (60 mins): Most popular and main city square
★ Het Steen Castle (30 mins - Photo Stop): Medieval fortress. Antwerp's oldest building
★ St. Paul's Church (15 mins - Photo Stop): Gothic Cathedral with a baroque tower
Thoughtful thoughts to your inbox
Kar P